Be wary of misleading information

To the editor:

A recent letter warned us to be wary of coal and asked if there is such a thing as a coal-mining town with certain qualities. Our family chose to move to Sutton when it was a coal-mining town because of its beautiful surroundings, 99.6 percent pure water, clean air (less dust than an Anchorage mobile park or a Palmer office), great schools, recreation areas and its sense of community where people bonded and worked together to make it an even better place to live.

The writer asked us to take time to learn how these mines will impact our community and our lives to understand the truth. I did.

The most non-biased, site-specific information I found was a study to assess significant socioeconomic effects of potential coal-mining activity at Wishbone Hill to the Mat-Su Borough.

This study, conducted by UAA’s Institute of Social and Economic Research and paid for by the borough concludes that “the new mining operation at Wishbone Hill would have positive effects.”

The study says over 15 years of operation, the mine would generate 93 direct jobs, 45 indirect jobs, $7.8 million annual personal income, 93 additional households, 270 additional residents, 78 additional students, $440,227 annual property tax, $1.25 million annual royalties to the state and $818,440 annual fees to Port MacKenzie. Mining jobs would pay $70,000 to $90,000 per year. Realtors indicated property values would remain the same or increase. One named trail crosses the mining area. Covered trucks, operating at night, would increase traffic between 2.1 percent and 7.3 percent, but would not affect tourism or school activities.

Last year, the EPA funded 44,228 projects at a cost of $62,492,156,719. At least $1,120,673 went to projects in our community. Individual paychecks and organizations’ operational funds dependent on this money often promote their projects by shutting down resource development. I am especially concerned about a number of people who are being paid by taxpayers while taking leadership roles in environmental organizations, political committees and community councils.

These people have the power to suggest, support, promote, fund and evaluate the very projects that provide their funds. I say be very, very wary of any advice or information from those who have a hand in the taxpayers’ purse.

Roberta Mason

Sutton